Guernsey Press

It’s going to get cooler

TEMPERATURES reached 26.7C at the beginning of this week and are due to remain in the low 20s up to the weekend.

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Picture By Peter Frankland. 09-06-18 Heat wave - hot weather continues. On the beach at Grandes Rocques are L-R - (Front) - Luke Burton, 5, Milla Pettitt, 3 and Kaitlyn Burton, 8. Back L-R - Liz Burton, Amanda Watts with James, 6mts and Nick Burton.. (21953601)

The Guernsey Met. Office, who collect the information, said the weekend’s high temperatures of up to 28.1C would make this week feel cooler.

‘Conditions remain settled. However, there’s unlikely to be such high temperatures for the next few days, as a weak cold front pushes over the islands.

‘Jersey Met. have forecast temperatures to remain in the low 20s, which is still slightly above average but obviously won’t feel it compared to what we experienced this weekend,’ a spokesperson said.

Owner of Cobo Village Stores, Ralph Le Page, said it had sold out of many summer lines.

‘The season’s been very stop-start. There are a few bits that have sold out we’ve just had to order some more in,’ he said.

The fine weather also meant more passengers travelling to the smaller islands.

Managing director of Sark Shipping Company Yan Milner said that the weather really helped the sale of tickets to Sark this summer.

June sales exceeded the predictions of the three-year rolling average and more people have been booking in advance as they are confident the nicer weather will hold until the weekend.

Families such as the Burtons, who were visiting family from their home in Vancouver, were enjoying the beach at Grandes Rocques on Monday.

‘We were last here about three years ago, it makes such a difference to be over in the sun,’ said Nick Burton.

While many enjoyed being out in the heat, conditions prompted Public Health to issue a safety warning yesterday.

The tips given are to:

n Look out for others, especially older people, young children and babies and those with underlying health conditions

n Close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors

n Drink plenty of water as sugary, alcoholic and caffeinated drinks can make you more dehydrated

n Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals

n Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm

n Take care to protect against the sun if you are going into the water to cool down

n Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat, if you have to go out in the heat

n Avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day

n Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes

n Make sure you take water with you, if you are travelling

Dr Nicola Brink, Director of Public Health, said:

‘Over 65s, as well as young children and those with heart and lung conditions can all find normal activities a strain when temperatures get this high. I therefore urge caution as high temperatures, both indoors and outdoors, can also pose a risk to everyone’s health when they occur over a sustained period.’

The Fire Service warned people not to light bonfires unless necessary following a recent fire.

Hedgehogs are also thought to suffer in the high temperatures and people are encouraged to leave flat bowls of water out for the animals on hot days.

‘With the ongoing hot dry weather, the streams and douits are very low. The larger hogs can climb in and out usually if they are stone-built rather than vertical block but the hoglets can’t,’ said Chris Nicolle from the Guernsey Hedgehog Rescue Centre.

The hottest temperature for June was 30.8C, which was recorded on the island in 1976. In 2003, temperatures reached a record 34.3C during August.